Asbestos in Automobile Parts

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with long, thin, tiny fibers. Because asbestos fibers are strong, durable and non-combustible, asbestos was used in automobile parts for many years. Up until the 1980s, asbestos was used in automobile parts, such as:

brakes (linings and pads)

clutches

gaskets

roofs

Unfortunately, asbestos fibers are very dangerous when inhaled. When inhaled, asbestos fibers remain lodged in the body and can cause severe and life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and various cancers.

Workplace Asbestos Exposure: Automotive Facilities

Because asbestos fibers are released when asbestos containing materials are cut, broken, or damaged, workers in the automobile industry are often exposed to asbestos.

For example, automobile mechanic garages may contain extremely high levels of asbestos, because automobile brakes and clutches often get worn down and shred. When this happens, asbestos fibers are released into the brake housing or clutch space. When automobile mechanics repair these automobile brakes or clutches, the accumulated asbestos fibers are released into the air and may be inhaled. To exacerbate the problem, automobile garages are often poorly ventilated and mechanics typically wear no protective clothing or equipment.

A recent study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that two-thirds of automobile garages contain dangerous asbestos levels. The EPA also determined that asbestos constitutes up to 60% of the dust found in most mechanic garages.

Automotive Facilities Asbestos Safety Measures

Now, the U.S. Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regulates asbestos use in automobile mechanic garages. Specifically, OSHA requires automobile mechanic shops that repair more than five brakes or clutches per week to follow one of the following procedures when repairing automobile brakes or clutches: